Babu Owino is taking on Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja in a fiery attack over what he calls a ‘militarised’ land rate collection strategy.
The Embakasi East MP accused Sakaja’s administration of harassing churches, businesses, and private landowners under the guise of enforcing revenue laws. Owino said the aggressive approach is damaging the city’s economy and has little to do with actual development.
In his scathing critique, he warned that the funds collected will not help Nairobians but will instead feed into a corrupt system.
Babu Owino Accuses Sakaja of Harassment and Corruption in Rate Collection
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has slammed Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja over the recent land rate crackdown, calling it a “militarised extortion scheme” that targets the city’s already struggling residents. Through a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Owino expressed outrage at the tactics used by the county government to recover unpaid land rates.
“The Nairobi County Government has lately militarised its rate collection. Churches, businesses, and private residences have witnessed the wrath of a corrupt county government harassing Nairobi residents to pay exorbitant rates that end up in county heads’ pockets,” Owino wrote on May 20.
According to Owino, the campaign is not about accountability but intimidation. The lawmaker said the county is using fear to force people into compliance, even when they are unable to meet the high demands. He warned that the aggressive methods are doing more harm than good to Nairobi’s economy.
“These acts of intimidation are a direct attack on entrepreneurship and faith-based institutions. The people are being punished while corruption thrives in the offices of those issuing these demands,” Owino added.
He also claimed that the money collected will likely not improve service delivery but instead be siphoned through graft.
“The truth is that these collections won’t benefit the people. They will only line the pockets of corrupt officials. That’s the Nairobi reality under Sakaja’s watch,” he stated.
Nairobi Businesses Shut Down as Crackdown Intensifies
The crackdown, which began on Monday, May 12, has already resulted in the closure of several buildings and businesses across Nairobi. Nairobi City County enforcement officers have been shutting down properties with outstanding land rate payments, sparking concern from stakeholders.
On May 20, county officials seized the Taifa Road parking lot behind Kencom, citing a Ksh41.1 million land rate debt and Ksh200,000 in unpaid Unified Business Permit fees. Revenue officer Tiras Njoroge confirmed the county had taken control of the parking facility and would collect fees directly from motorists until the debt was settled.
“This Kencom private parking lot owes the county Ksh41 million. Starting today, we are taking over its operations to recover the money until the debt is fully paid,” Njoroge said during a media briefing.
He warned that the county would escalate action against persistent defaulters and even publish their names for public scrutiny.
“This isn’t personal. It’s about making sure people meet their obligations. Only 20 percent of landowners in Nairobi are paying land rates. That’s unsustainable,” he stated.
However, Babu Owino argues that this tough talk is a smokescreen for deeper rot within the county government. He insists that the clampdown lacks fairness and transparency.
Residents Say Crackdown Is a Smokescreen for Graft
Business owners and residents have echoed Owino’s concerns, describing the rate collection drive as chaotic, selective, and driven by politics. Many fear their properties will be targeted without due process or proper notice.
Several church leaders have come forward to say they were harassed by county officials demanding payments they had not been notified about. One pastor, who asked for anonymity, said, “We support paying taxes, but this is extortion. They stormed in, demanded we shut down, and threatened to arrest our staff.”
Babu Owino emphasized that such actions are not the mark of a responsible government.
“Sakaja’s administration is running Nairobi like a dictatorship. A militarised approach to governance is not only outdated but unconstitutional,” he said.
He called for the immediate halt of the operations and demanded an audit of how much the county has collected so far and how the funds have been used.
“Where’s the money going? We deserve accountability, not brutality,” Owino insisted.
A Call for Sensible Governance
Babu Owino’s sharp criticism adds fuel to growing discontent over Governor Sakaja’s leadership style. As landowners continue to receive threatening notices and businesses are shut down, questions are emerging about the county’s priorities and the fairness of its revenue collection.
While Sakaja’s office maintains that the initiative is necessary to fund public services, many argue that targeting small businesses and churches while corruption goes unchecked is a betrayal of public trust.
Babu Owino’s voice in this matter reflects a broader concern: that revenue collection, while essential, should not be weaponized. Instead of fear, Nairobi residents are calling for transparency, dialogue, and a fair taxation system.
If ignored, the current approach could damage public confidence and cripple Nairobi’s already fragile economic engine.
